Thursday News Goes Electric

The Grand Rapids Press delivered a story this week which documented the Christian university Calvin College canceled a show happening on their campus featuring The New Pornographers because of the band’s name. The school said they were concerned about people who were beginning to associate the college with pornography as has mistakenly happened for the band. Calvin College expressed regret for their decision.

The godfathers of ambient, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, have announced the tourdates for their upcoming triumphant return. Naturally the band will get the tour started sharing a bill with Weird Al Yankhovic at the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival in England this December. Is there any better pair of artists? The band will also be stopping by the Showbox at the Market here in Seattle on February 17. For full tour dates head on over to Pitchfork.

John Vanderslice has released a free EP on his website titled Green Grow the Rushes. The album features 5 tracks, one of which produced by Jim Eno of Spoon.

Frank Healey from legendary indie-rock band Travis has a solo album coming out soon titled Wreckorder. As an iTunes exclusive, Healey recorded a cover of Beach House’s “Zebra” for a bonus track. An mp3 is availabe at this link and at Stereogum.

Jack White apparently is a mad scientist. Working alongside Third Man Records, he has created a new type of vinyl record. Essentially it is a 12” record with a 7” unreleased single inside. Check out this video of Mr. White himself explain how this is even possible.